Week of July 2 - 6, 2012

Representatives of the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning discuss their new report on declining levels of lead contamination found in Rochester’s children

Hr. 2

The politics of health care reform; analysis from Hobart and William Smith Colleges’ Prof. Iva Deutchman

Tuesday 7/3

Hr. 1

The media and the coverage of politics and the health care case; about…Time editor Jim Blount

Hr. 2

Gerald Celente, publisher and editor of the Trends Journal, joins us on the line and discusses why he’s launching a campaign this Independence Day week…to persuade us NOT to vote this fall

Wednesday 7/4

NO SHOW-we present special programming including Gas Planet from the Innovation Trail project and The Capitol Steps 4th of July Special

Thursday 7/5

Hr. 1

We convene the College of Collectible Knowledge, our panel of experts on antiques and collectibles

Hr. 2

Internationally known peace activist Medea Benjamin comes to Rochester to discuss the Obama administration’s use of unmanned drone aircraft

Friday 7/6 (Arts Friday)

Hr.1

Spotlight on the local drama scene today, beginning with the director and cast of a new production of Karel Capek’s “R-U-R” now playing this weekend at the Multi-Use Community Cultural Center

Hr. 2

Continuing our look at the local stage, we talk to the people of Blackfriars who are presenting satirist Tom Lehrer’s Tomfoolery

All programs originate live in our studios unless otherwise indicated. Schedules are subject to change in response to breaking news. Pre-recorded programming may be replaced with live content on short notice.

Comments

How do we know the reduction in children with risky lead levels is primarily due to reducing and abating lead paint and other sources in homes and businesses. Could the reduction be equally or even primarily be due to the banned sale of leaded gasoline by the Clean Air Act? Leaded gasoline is absorbed into the skin on contact with gasoline or into the lungs from automotive exhaust. Remaining deposits of lead in topsoil near roadways with greater traffic congestion is also an issue. The phase out of leaded gasoline began in the 70's and culminated with the ban, not until January 1996. Could the credit given to recent standards of eliminating lead paint be somewhat misplaced and overshadow the other and maybe greater reason why lead levels are dropping in children?

The survey period in question covers testing done between 1999 (the start of the Coalition’s work) and 2011. Given that all cars built and sold in the U.S. since model year 1970 were built to use unleaded gas and all cars built since model year 1975 require unleaded fuel only (and cannot even accept leaded fuel), leaded gasoline was for all intents and purposes unavailable in this region—and in most of the United States--after 1980, even if not officially prohibited for some years afterward. So the impact of leaded gasoline on children born since 1980 was minimal. The remaining variable for lead exposure over the last 30+ years, is whether or not you’re in a housing unit where lead paint was present. Any home built before 1978 could be loaded with lead paint.
Hope that will clear the confusion.